Vance Strikes Out 14 in Win Against Ohio State

Left-hander Ross Vance struck out 14 Ohio State batters in his first career start.

All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks photo

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - In his first career start for the WVU baseball team, sophomore left-hander Ross Vance struck out 14 en route to a 4-1 victory over Ohio State on Tuesday evening at Hawley Field.

Vance (1-0) pitched a complete game, allowing one run on eight hits with two walks. His 13 strikeouts was a career high and set a season high for Mountaineer pitchers. He also picked off two runners

The win breaks a seven game losing streak by West Virginia and brings the Mountaineer’s overall record to 17-15.

Ohio State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second as Vance hit a batter with the bases loaded, but the Mountaineers answered in the bottom half to take a 2-1 lead. Junior designated Max Nogay hit his third home run of the season over the left field fence. The blast plated senior first baseman Ryan McBroom, who led off the inning with a line drive double off the left field wall.

In the bottom of the third inning, junior second baseman Billy Fleming would draw a two-out walk and then advance to second by way of a passed ball. McBroom then hit a single off the glove of the Buckeyes second basemen, scoring Fleming. McBroom advanced to third on a balk and passed ball, and scored when senior left fielder Jacob Rice singled up the middle to increase the lead to 4-1.

McBroom, Rice and senior third baseman Michael Constantini each had two hits for the Mountaineers, with McBroom scoring two runs and Nogay driving in two runs.

Ohio State starter Zach Farmer (5-4) struck out nine batters, giving up four runs on seven hits with one walk in the losing effort. Ryan Leffel and Jacob Bosiokovic each had two hits for the Buckeyes.

West Virginia will travel to Oklahoma for a Big 12 series at Oklahoma from April 17-19. Thursday’s game will start at 7 p.m., Friday’s game will begin at 7 p.m. and Saturday’s finale is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.

Thursday’s game will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest, while Friday and Saturday will be televised on Fox College Sports. The radio broadcast will be on select affiliates of the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG College.